Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program

Feral cats (non-pet felines, living in an outdoor environment) have reached epidemic numbers on Long Island. Feral cats that are not spayed or neutered may wander from place to place throughout our region, resulting in pockets of feral cat overpopulation. In an effort to mitigate the overpopulation of feral cats in our area, we are offering free spaying or neutering of feral cats to Hempstead Town residents. Spay/neuter surgeries are conducted at the Animal Shelter as well as at one local animal hospital.

View a TNR Fact Sheet.

TNR surgeries at the Animal Shelter will be conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. No appointment is required; walk-ins are welcome. A limited number of surgeries will also be scheduled on Mondays and Fridays by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call (516) 785-5220, extension 4630or contact maricha@tohmail.org. Town residents may bring in up to five (5) feral cats for free spay/neuter at each visit, with each cat being in its own trap.

For TNR surgeries at the Animal Shelter in Wantagh, residents are asked to drop off cats as per the following schedule:

Sundays - Drop off between 2 PM and 4 PM for next day surgeries. MUST have an appointment for Monday.

Mondays - Drop off between 7:30 AM and 9 AM for same day surgeries. MUST have an appointment for Monday.
Drop off between 2 PM and 5 PM for next day surgeries.No cats will be taken in between the hours of 9 AM and 2 PM.

Tuesdays - Drop off between 7:30 AM and 9 AM for same day surgeries.
Drop off between 2 PM and 5 PM for next day surgeries.No cats will be taken in between the hours of 9 AM and 2 PM.

Wednesdays - Drop off between 7:30 AM and 9 AM for same day surgeries.
Drop off between 2 PM and 5 PM for next day surgeries.No cats will be taken in between the hours of 9 AM and 2 PM.

Thursdays - Drop off between 7:30 AM and 9 AM for same day surgeries.
Drop off between 2 PM and 5 PM for next day surgeries. MUST have an appointment for Friday.No cats will be taken in between the hours of 9 AM and 2 PM.

Fridays - Drop off between 7:30 AM and 9 AM for same day surgeries. MUST have an appointment for Friday.

Saturdays - No drop-offs permitted.

For the safety of all participants, each feral cat must be brought in its own trap. No other carriers are accepted. Trap rentals are available at the shelter with an $80.00 CASH deposit. Trap deposits will be refunded when traps are returned in the same condition as when they were rented.

Feral cats may be tested for FELV/FIV (Feline AIDS and Leukemia) for an additional $25.00 CASH payment required at the time of intake. Feral cats will receive a Rabies vaccination, Distemper vaccination, and ear tipping.

Spayed/Neutered cats may be picked up in the afternoon, the same day as the surgery or the Animal Shelter can provide aftercare services (cats will be kept and cared for 48 hours after surgery). Spayed/neutered feral cats should be transported back to the release site after the appropriate recovery time. Space is limited and appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first-served basis. Proof of residency must be provided.